Biomethane Use Grows in Germany

The number of compressed natural gas fueling stations in Germany offering 100% biomethane more than doubled during the first seven months of 2012, to 76, Berlin-based Erdgas Mobil reports. Nearly 230 of the 900 natural gas filling stations in Germany offer renewable natural gas in some proportion.

Biomethane could account for as much as 20% of the natural gas — erdgas — used in NGVs in Germany by 2015, says Berlin-based Erdgas Mobil.

The organization estimates that biomethane accounts for about 10% of the CNG used in natural gas vehicles in Germany. Given favorable political conditions, the figure could grow to 20% by 2015, according to Erdgas Mobil CEO Dr. Timm Kehler.

CNG stations in Germany (E.on-Ruhrgas graphic)

“This is a great success,” Kehler said in a release.

Even a 20% share of biomethane equates to a carbon dioxide emissions reduction of 40% compared with gasoline. With 100% biomethane, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by up to 97%.

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